Monday, November 2, 2015

(Eastport, MD- The Eastport YC and friends at Storm Trysail Club hosted
the J/70 Fall Brawl Regatta, a popular event for J/70 sailors at it
often marks the first stop heading south from the northeastern USA to
Key West Race Week and other events on the winter circuit- like the
Quantum J/70 Midwinter Circuit in Tampa, Florida.

The regatta saw light to moderate winds, shifty and streaky, that
enabled the EYC PRO to run seven races for the thirty-one boats sailing
the regatta. Sailing a very consistent series was Peter McChesney from
Annapolis YC, posting a 6-1-4-4-1-3-4 for 23 pts total to win the
regatta by just four pts.

Tied with McChesney after Saturday’s racing but not able to keep up the
pressure and the pace was Henry Filter’s WILD CHILD from Eastport YC.
Filter’s scoreline of 4-5-2-2-9-2-3 was good enough for 27 pts.

Just
off the pace of the leaders and with a legitimate chance of winning the
regatta going into the last race was Peter Bowe’s Annapolis YC team
sailing TEA DANCE SNAKE. After posting a 1-6-7-3-2-1 in the first six
races, all Bowe’s crew had to do was finish 3rd or better to win the
regatta. Unfortunately, their can of “whupass” must’ve expired by
midday, for they could only manage a 10th in the 7th race to take the
bronze on the podium with 30 pts total. It was TEA DANCE SNAKE’s best
showing to date in a major J/70 regatta.

Rounding out the top five was Geoff Becker’s (current Lightning World
Champion) PAPA WHEELIE from Severn Sailing Association, taking fourth
overall with 43 pts. Taking top women’s skipper award and holding on to
5th overall was Jen Wulff sailing with husband Ray and crew on JOINT
CUSTODY.